Tool



March 28, 1933. c. WlLLMAN 1,903,252

TOOL

Filed Dec. 7, 1931 IN VEN TOR:

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ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 28, 1933 PATENT OFFICE CHARLES WILLMAN, OF RETSIL, WASHINGTON TOOL Application filed December 7, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in tools for use by forest rangers and the like.

The main object of the invention is to provide a handle and a plurality of tools such as axes, shovels and the like and simple and efficient means on both the handle and tools whereby any of the tools may be easily and quickly mounted in a rigid and operative manner upon the handle and as readily detached therefrom when desired.

Another object is to provide a connecting means for a tool handle and tools of this kind in a simple, eflicient, durable and readily operable form.

With these and other objects in view the invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view, partially in cross section, showing the end of the handle, an axe head, and the means for detachably securing the two together.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of a sleeve and socket for use in connecting a shovel to the handle shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the sleeve and socket shown in Figure 3, showing in dotted lines a portion of a shovel as mounted in the socket.

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the locking dogs.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the handle as shown in Figure 1 adapted to receive the said locking dog.

Referring now with more particularity to the drawing and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 thereof the handle A of any desired form and length has its tapered and oval end B en closed by a tapered cap or ferrule 1 including the socket or skirt 2 secured by a rivet 3 to the handle and the relatively thick end 4. The axe head C has the oval eyes D in which is rigidly mounted the socket 5 adapted to fit over the cap 1. The socket 5 is not tapered and so does not engage the cap 1 throughout its length but only adjacent its inner margin or end as shown, there being a space thus left Serial No. 579,370.

screw 8 as shown. Two dogs 9 are provided and the same are tapered toward their outer ends to conform to the curvature of the end 4 of the cap 1 to which they are adjustably is PIOVlCled centr at and slidably attached by screws 10 passed ,7

through slots 11 in the dogs and threaded in threaded apertures 12 provided in said cap end 4. At their innermost ends the dogs 9 terminate short of the screw 8 and have arouate recesses 13, the upper margins of which are engaged by the beveled shoulder 14 formed on the screw 8 just below its head 15. As the screw 8 is screwed inward in the aperture 7 the shoulder 14 will thus move down between the dogs 9 and force them apart so that they will move and bear outward at their ends against the socket 5 and hold the axe head C in place on the handle. On their under or inner faces and adjacent their outer ends the dogs 9 have ribs 16 formed and adapted to slide in complementary grooves 17 formed in the outer end portions of the cap end 4 whereby the dogs will be held in the proper alignment as they are moved outward as described. The operation of attaching and removing the axe head C from the handle A will be apparent, it being only necessary to tighten or loosen the screw 8 to practice these operations. The combination of the tapered cap lwith the straight socket 5 facilitates the application or removal of the axe head and at the same time the outward movement of the dogs 9 will rigidly hold the axe on the handle and secure the same against both lateral and axial displacement thereon. A similar socket 5 may of course be provided in tools of other kinds such as hoes, hooks, adzes and the like (not shown) allowing the use of any number of tools upon a single handle and thus greatly facilitating the transportation of the tools from place to place.

In order to allow the use of a shovel blade or head upon the handle A, a double sleeve or sleeve and socket as shown in Figures 3 and 4 is provided, the same being formed of heavy sheet material formed into the tapered and oval socket 18 adapted to fit tightly over the handle cap 1 and be secured thereto by the frictional engagement of the two and the relatively smaller circular socket or sleeve 19 is adapted to receive the usual tubular handle receiving socket E provided on the shovel F, the said socket E being slipped into the socket l9 and held therein by the frictional engagement of the two. This arrangement forms a sufliciently tight or rigid joint for use in shoveling since there is comparatively little tendency for the shovel or the socket 18 to slip outward as will be apparent.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a simple and eiticient device for the purposes described and it is obvious that a comparatively great number of separate tools may be carried without be ing bulky or relatively heavy. The tools are thus particularly adapted for use by forest rangers and the like.

lVhile I have herein set forth certain preferred embodiments of my invention it is understood that I may vary from the same in minor structural details not departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the kind described, in combination with a handle and tool having a straight socket, a tapered cap secured to the end of the handle and adapted to enter the said socket in the tool, and means on the end of the cap for engaging the said socket to hold the tool on the handle, the said means comprising dogs slidably mounted on the cap, and a screw threaded in the cap and adapted to force the dogs outward against the inner side of the said socket in the tool.

2. In a device of the kind described, in combination with a handle having a tapered end and a tool, a socket secured to the tool, a tapered cap secured to the tapered end of the handle and adapted to enter the said socket, dogs slidably mounted on the end of the cap, a screw threaded centrally in the cap between the said dogs, and a beveled shoulder formed on the said screw for engagement with the inners ends of the said dogs.

3. In a device of the kind described, in combination with a handle and a tool, the tool having a straight socket, a tapered cap secured to the end of the handle and adapted to enter the socket in the tool, the cap having grooves in its outer end, dogs slidably mounted on the end of the cap, ribs formed on the under faces of the dogs and slidably engaging the said grooves in the cap, a

screw threaded centrally in the cap between the dogs, and a beveled shoulder formed on the screw for engagement with the inner ends of the dogs.

4. In a device of the kind described, in combination with a handle and a tool, the tool having a straight socket, a tapered cap secured to the end of the handle and adapted to enter the socket in the tool, the cap having grooves in its outer end, dogs slidably mounted on the end of the cap, ribs formed on the under faces of the dogs and slidably engaging the said grooves in the cap, a screw threaded centrally in the cap between the dogs, and beveled shoulder formed on the screw for engagement with the inner ends of the dogs, the dogs having arcuate inner ends to engage the said beveled shoulder on the screw, the said dogs having also longitudinally elongated slots, and screws passed through the said slots and threaded in the end of the cap.

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature.

CHARLES I/VILLMAN. 

